Wall fastener

ABSTRACT

A wall fastener that attaches a wallboard member to a mounting track in a manner that allows for relative movement between an overhead roof structure to which the mounting track is secured and a non-load bearing wall. The wall fastener holds the wallboard in a fixed position relative to the wall and the overhead structure to maintain a fire barrier.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 10/750,998 entitled WALL FASTENER filed on Dec. 30,2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to the field of buildingconstruction and, more particularly, to connections between a non-loadbearing stud wall and a mounting track that is secured to an overheadstructure.

2. Related Art

A typical wall to overhead structure connection is an inverted U-shapedlongitudinal mounting track or slip track that receives studs betweenthe legs of the U-shaped track. A wall cladding member is attached to atleast one side of the studs. One of the legs of the mounting track isreceived between the studs and the wall cladding material. A top surfaceof the studs and wall cladding member are spaced from the overheadstructure in order to allow for settling or other movement of theoverhead structure (sometimes referred to as the roof or floor deck)with respect to the wall.

Various structures and materials may be used to seal the space betweenthe top surface of the studs and wall cladding member and the overheadstructure for purposes of providing an appropriate fire rating. Knownsealing structures and materials have several drawbacks. For example,the use of a sealant and filling material is typically useful for verysmall gaps in applications where small amounts of movement between theoverhead structure and the wall are possible. A sealant and fillingmaterial is susceptible to deterioration and fatigue over repeatedcycles of movement, which may result in loss of the necessary firerating. Known sealing structures, such as the slip track assemblydisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,471,805 and 5,755,066, are complex systemsthat require large amounts of material at a relatively high cost. Thus,a simple, cost effecting sealing structure that provides an appropriatefire rating and provides a positive attachment between the studs and themounting or slip track would be an important advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wall fastener for use between astud and a mounting or slip track. The wall fastener supports first andsecond wall cladding members and orients the wall cladding membersrelative to each other to provide a continuous wall cladding structurebetween the stud wall and the overhead structure to which the mountingtrack is secured. The wall fastener includes a first portion havingfirst and second opposed primary surfaces and first and second sides.The first portion is secured to the mounting track with the firstprimary surface facing the mounting track and the second primary surfacefacing the first wall cladding member. The wall fastener also includes asecond portion having a third primary surface that extends parallel tothe first primary surface and is offset from the second primary surfacea predetermined distance. The second portion is secured to the secondwall cladding member with the third primary surface facing the secondwall cladding member thereby positioning the second wall cladding memberadjacent to the first wall cladding member. The wall fastener furtherincludes a first fastening structure secured to the first side of thefirst portion. The first fastening structure slidingly engages the studthereby retaining the wall fastener to the stud while providing for asliding movement of the wall fastener relative to the stud.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method ofretaining a stud to a mounting track with a fastener such that themounting track is vertically movable relative to the stud wall. Thefastener includes a first portion having a first primary surface andfirst and second sides, and a fastening structure extending from thefirst side of the first portion. The method includes securing the firstportion to the mounting track with the first primary surface facing themounting track, and slidingly securing the fastening structure to thestud wall thereby retaining the stud wall to the mounting track so as toprevent lateral movement of the fastener relative to the stud wall whilepermitting vertical movement of the fastener relative to the stud wall.

A yet further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method offorming a wall fastener from a single piece of material. The wallfastener retains a stud wall to a mounting track and to support asecondary wall cladding member in engagement with a primary wallcladding member of the stud wall. The method includes forming a firstportion that includes first and second opposed primary surfaces andfirst and second sides. The first portion is secured to the mountingtrack with the first primary surface facing the mounting track and thesecond primary surface facing the primary wall cladding member. Themethod further includes forming a second portion that includes a thirdprimary surface that extends parallel to the first primary surface andis secured to the secondary wall cladding member, and positioning thesecondary wall cladding member adjacent to the primary wall claddingmember, forming a third portion that extends between the first andsecond portions, and forming a first fastener structure along the firstside of the first portion. The first fastener structure is configured toengage a stud of the stud wall to retain the wall fastener to the studwall while permitting vertical movement of the wall fastener relative tothe wall.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a wall fastener thatis secured to a mounting track to support a secondary wall claddingmember adjacent to a primary wall cladding member. The wall fastenerincludes a first portion having first and second opposed primarysurfaces, the first primary surface defining a first portion plane, andthe first portion being secured to the mounting track with the firstprimary surface facing the mounting track and the second primary surfacefacing the primary wall cladding member. A second portion of the wallfastener is spaced apart from the first portion a predetermined distanceand includes third and fourth surfaces that extend parallel to the firstsurface. The second portion is secured to the secondary wall claddingmember with the third primary surface facing the secondary wall claddingmember and the fourth primary surface facing the first portion plane. Athird portion of the wall fastener extends between the first and secondportions to couple the first and second portions together, and a fourthportion of the wall fastener extends from the second portion in adirection toward the first portion plane and contacts the mountingtrack.

The present invention is also directed to a wall fastener configured toretain a stud wall to a mounting track, wherein the stud wall includes aplurality of studs and a primary wall cladding member secured to theplurality of studs. The wall fastener includes a first portion havingfirst and second primary surfaces and first and second sides. The firstportion is secured to the mounting track and is positioned between oneof the plurality of studs and the primary wall cladding member with thefirst primary surface facing the mounting track and the one stud, andthe second primary surface facing the primary wall cladding member. Thewall fastener also includes a first fastening structure that extendsfrom the first side of the first portion and retains the fastener to theone stud while providing sliding movement of the fastener relative tothe one stud to provide vertical movement of the mounting track relativeto the stud wall.

The present invention is also directed to a wall fastener configured toretain a stud wall to a mounting track, wherein the stud wall includes aplurality of studs and a primary wall cladding member secured to theplurality of studs. The wall fastener includes a first portion havingfirst and second primary surfaces and first and second sides. The firstportion is secured to the first side wall of mounting track with thefirst primary surface facing the outside surface of the first side walland the second primary surface facing the first wall cladding member.The first portion also includes a first track retaining member thatengages the inside surface of the first side wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example slip track assembly inaccordance with principle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slip track assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the slip track assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example slip trackassembly in accordance with principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment of according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 9 a is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the slip trackassembly comprising the wall fastener of FIG. 9 engaged with a studaccording to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an additional wall fastenerembodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar reference numeralsdesignate similar or corresponding parts throughout the several views,and more particularly to FIG. 1, a preferred slip track assembly inaccordance with the present invention is designated generally by thenumeral 1. Slip track assembly 1 includes a slip track 50 fastened to anoverhead structure 10 (also referred to as a roof or floor deck), anon-load bearing stud wall 30 formed from a plurality of studs, such asthe stud 20 shown, and a primary wall cladding member 32 attached toform part of the stud wall 30. The wall cladding members 32 and 40 canconsist of any material that can be used to cover or overlay the studs.Some common cladding materials include, but are not limited to, gypsumboard, glass, plastic, plywood, sealant, and plaster board. In thepreferred embodiment, the wall cladding material is fire resistantwallboard. As used hereinafter, members 32 and 40 and similar claddingmembers will be referred to as “wallboard members”, “wall claddingmembers”, or “wall members”. In the preferred slip track assembly 1, awall fastener 60 is secured to a slip track 50, and a secondarywallboard member 40 is attached to the wall fastener 60. Thisarrangement fixes the primary wallboard member 32 to the stud 20 and thesecondary wallboard member 40 to the slip track 50, and allows forrelative vertical motion between the two wallboard members 32 and 40.

Slip track 50 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 as a unitary member. Sliptrack 50 has any convenient length, and it is preferably metallic,although other materials with appropriate physical characteristics maybe used. Slip track 50 has parallel first and second vertical side walls52 and 54 offset from one another and connected by a horizontal topsurface 56. The side walls 52 and 54 each have an inside surface 53 andan outside surface 55. The top surface 56 of slip track 20 is connectedto the overhead structure 10 with screws 90 or other fastening means.

Stud 20 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 as being received between theinside surfaces 53 of the slip track 50 such that a first side 22 and asecond side 24 of stud 20 are adjacent to respective vertical side walls52 and 54 of the slip track 50. The first and second sides 22, 24include respective first and second return flanges 26, 28 that provideadditional structural rigidity and strength to the stud 20. The top endof stud 20 is spaced a distance “S” from the top surface 56 of the sliptrack. Distance “S” is commonly about one inch, but may be significantlymore or less depending on the expected relative movement betweenoverhead structure 10 and stud 20. Stud 20 is commonly a metallic post,but may be wood or other material conventionally used as a stud.

The wall fastener 60, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is fixed to the slip track50 and slideably engages the first return flange 28 of the second side24 of the stud 20. The wall fastener 60 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5preferably has four portions. The first portion 62 is vertical anddefines a first primary surface 76, a second primary surface 78 as wellas top edge 75, bottom edge 77, first side edge 79, and second side edge81. The first portion 62 further includes one or more fasteningstructures 80 that slideably engage the return flange 28 of stud 20. Thefastening structures 80 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 as wrap aroundstructures 82 and 84 located on side edges of first portion 62. Thefirst portion 62 also includes one or more apertures 86 for receivingfasteners 96 to fix first primary surface 76 against the first side 24of the slip track 50.

The second portion 64 of the wall fastener 60 is parallel but offsetfrom the first portion 62 by a distance “D.” The second portion 64defines third and fourth primary surfaces 72 and 74. The third portion66 is horizontal and connects the top edge 75 of the first portion 62 tothe bottom edge 73 of the second portion 64. The fourth portion 68 ishorizontal and connects the top edge 71 of the second portion 64 withthe top edge 69 of the contact member 70. The contact member 70 is inthe same vertical plane as the first portion 60. The contact member 70contacts the outside surface 55 of side wall 54 of the slip track 50 andprovides extra support for the wall fastener 60 when the secondarywallboard member 40 is being secured to the third primary surface 72 ofthe wall fastener 60.

Primary wallboard member 32 is fastened to stud 20 with screws 94 orother conventional fastening means. Primary wall cladding member 32 ispreferably gypsum board in large part due to its fire resistanceproperties. In that regard, it is understood that primary wall claddingmember 32 may include multiple layers of wall material, for example, tocreate the required fire rating. The thickness of the primary wallcladding member 32 defines the distance “D” of the wall fastener 60. Asstated above, stud 20 is spaced vertically lower than roof structure 10a distance “S.” Likewise, primary wall cladding member 32 is spaced adistance “S1” from the overhead structure 10. Distance “S1” is typicallyseveral inches, but could be more or less depending on the application.

As mentioned above, the secondary wall cladding member 40 is attached tothe third primary surface 72 of the fastener 60 with screws 92 or otherconventional fastening means. Secondary wall cladding member 40 extendsdown from a top edge 42 that is adjacent to overhead structure 10 andoverlaps in a sliding relationship with primary wall cladding member 32.Secondary wall cladding member has a vertical dimension “S2” which isgreater than “S1” to provide overlap and ensure maintenance of theoverlap for all expected relative movement between overhead structure 10and the stud wall 30. The secondary wall cladding member 40 covers thespace between the top end of primary wall cladding members 32 and theoverhead structure 10. The secondary wall cladding member is preferablymade of material similar to the material of the primary wall claddingmember 32 and preferably has a similar thickness as primary wallcladding member 32 so as to provide a consistent fire rating.

A second example slip track assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 4, whereinsimilar structure to that of FIG. 1 is identified by similar numerals.The construction of slip track assembly 100 is generally the same as theslip track assembly 1. The primary difference between assemblies 1 and100 is that the wall fastener 60 is replaced by a wall fastener 160; allother components are similar. The wall fastener 160 of slip trackassembly 100 includes a different relationship with respect to thesecondary wallboard member 40 and the stud 20 as compared to therelationship between the wall fastener 60 and the stud 20. Conversely,the slip track assembly 100 is similar to slip track assembly 1 withrespect to the relationship between the primary wallboard member 32 andthe stud 20, the stud 20 and the slip track 50, and the slip track 50and the overhead structure 10.

The wall fastener 160 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 has three primaryportions. The first portion 162 is vertical and defines a first primarysurface 176 and a second primary surface 178, and further includes oneor more apertures 186 for receiving fasteners 96 to secure the firstprimary surface 176 to the first side 24 of the slip track 50. Thesecond portion 164 extends vertically at a parallel, offset positionrelative to the first portion a distance “D2.” The second portion 164defines a third primary surface 172 and a fourth primary surface 164.The third portion 166 extends in a generally perpendicular direction tofirst and second portions 162, 164 and connects the top edge of thefirst portion 162 to the top edge of the second portion 164.

FIG. 4 shows the secondary wallboard member 40 in the second embodimentsecured to the third primary surface 172 of the second portion 164. Asin slip track assembly 1, secondary wall cladding member 40 extends downfrom an edge 42 adjacent to overhead structure 10 and overlaps in asliding relationship with the primary wall cladding member 32. Thesecondary wall cladding member 40 covers the space between the top endof primary wall cladding member 32 and the overhead structure 10.

FIG. 4 also shows the wall fastener 160 not secured to the stud 20using, for example, the fastening structure 80 of slip track assembly 1.As such, wall fastener 160 may be especially useful for securing asecondary wallboard member 40 to a slip track 50 at a location wherethere is commonly no stud 20, (e.g., spaces along the wall betweenstuds) or in corners where there is insufficient space to use afastening structure feature.

FIG. 7 shows a wall fastener 260 with many of the same features asfasteners 60 and 160 including features 80, 82, and 84, which featuresare similar to the similarly numbered features in fastener 60. Fastener260 includes a first portion 262, a second portion 264, a third portion266, a first primary surface 276, a second primary surface 278, one ormore apertures 286, a third primary surface 272, and a fourth primarysurface 274. An advantage of this fastener embodiment is that it mayprovide some of the same benefits of fastener 60 (e.g., fastener 260 hasthe ability to prevent lateral motion of the fastener 260 relative tothe stud 20), while providing a more simple design for manufacturingpurposes.

FIG. 8 shows a wall fastener 360 with many of the same features asfasteners 60 and 160. Fastener 360 includes a first portion 362, asecond portion 364, a third portion 366, a first primary surface 376, asecond primary surface 378, one or more apertures 386, a third primarysurface 372, and a fourth primary surface 374. The difference betweenfastener 360 and fasteners 160 and 60 is with respect to where the thirdportion 366 connects to the first portion 362 and second portion 364.The third portion 366 connects a top edge 375 of the first portion 362to the bottom edge 373 of the second portion 364. Fastener 360 providessupport for a secondary wall cladding member using a very simple designthat may be useful in some applications.

FIG. 9 shows a wall fastener 460 with many of the same features as wallfastener 260. Fastener 460 includes a first portion 462, a secondportion 464, a third portion 466, a first primary surface 476, a secondprimary surface 478, one or more apertures 486, a third primary surface472, and a fourth primary surface 474. In addition, fastener 460includes first and second track retaining members 488, 489 for engagingthe inside surface 53 of the first side 24 of the stud 20 and the insidesurface 53 of side wall 54 of slip track 50. FIG. 9 a shows the wallfastener 460 engaged with the stud 20 and the slip track 50. Theretaining members 488, 489 may be used to hold the fastener 460 in placewhile the fastener 460 is secured to slip track 50 with a fastenerthrough apertures 486.

FIG. 10 shows a wall fastener 560 that includes many of the samefeatures as wall fastener 360, and also includes additional features 80,82, and 84. These additional features are similar to the similarlynumbered features in fastener 60. Fastener 560 has a first portion 562,a second portion 564, a third portion 566, a first primary surface 576,a second primary surface 578, one or more apertures 586, a third primarysurface 572, and a fourth primary surface 574. The fastening structure80 of fastener 560 provides sliding attachment of the fastener 560 to astud (as described above with references to fastener 60) while providinga simple support structure 564, 566 for attachment of a secondary wallcladding member. Fastener 560 may also be advantageous because it canperform substantially the same function as fasteners 60, 260 and 460,while providing a more simple design for manufacturing purposes.

FIG. 11 shows a wall fastener 660 having many of the same features aswall fastener 60. Fastener 660 includes a first portion 660, a secondportion 664, a third portion 666, a fourth portion 668, a first primarysurface 676, a second primary surface 678, one or more apertures 686, athird primary surface 672, a fourth primary surface 674, and a contactmember 670. An advantage of fastener 660 is that it can be used inspecific places on a wall as described above relating to fastener 160,yet has some of the same benefits of fastener 60. For example, fastener660 includes a contact member 670 that provides additional support forwhen a secondary board member is being secured to second portion 664 ofthe fastener 660.

FIG. 12 shows a wall fastener 760 having many of the same features aswall fastener 160. Fastener 760 includes a first portion 762, a secondportion 764, a third portion 766, a first primary surface 776, a secondprimary surface 778, one or more apertures 786, a third primary surface772, and a fourth primary surface 774. The difference between fastener760 and fastener 360 is that fastener 760 has retaining members 488 forholding the fastener 760 in place on a mounting track while the fastener760 is being secured to the mounting track with a screw or otherfastening means.

FIG. 13 shows a wall fastener 860 with many of the same features offastener 160. Fastener 860 includes a first portion 862, a secondportion 864, a third portion 866, a first primary surface 876, a secondprimary surface 878, one or more apertures 886, a third primary surface872, and a fourth primary surface 874. The difference between fastener860 and fastener 160 is fastener 860 includes a pair of track retainingmembers 488 for holding the fastener 860 in place on a mounting trackwhile the fastener 860 is being secured to the mounting track with ascrew or other fastener means.

FIG. 14 shows a wall fastener 960 with many of the same features offastener 60. Fastener 960 includes a first portion 962, a second portion964, a third portion 966, a first primary surface 976, a second primarysurface 978, one or more apertures 986, a third primary surface 972, afourth primary surface 974, and a contact member 970. The differencebetween fastener 960 and fastener 60 is fastener 960 includes trackretaining members 488 for holding the fastener 960 in place on amounting track while the fastener 960 is secured to the mounting trackwith a screw or other fastener means.

FIG. 15 shows a wall fastener 1060 with some of the same features offastener 60. Fastener 1060 includes a first portion 1062, a firstprimary surface 1076, a second primary surface 1078, one or moreapertures 1086, and fastening structures 80, 82, and 84. Fastener 1060may be used in conjunction with a sealant instead of a secondarywallboard member to achieve the proper fire rating. The fastener 1060positively attaches the stud 20 to the slip track 50 while allowing forrelative movement between the two. Fastener 1060 may be especiallyadvantageous in situation where the displacement between the stud 20 andslip track 50 is relatively small.

The present invention, as described, achieves a fire barrier connectionthat provides for vertical movement between the overhead structure andthe stud wall. The slip track assembly generally functions in atelescoping fashion to provide for an appropriate fire rating even whenrelative movement occurs. The slip tracks of the present invention canalso be used horizontally or in other orientations between two surfacesthat may move relative to one another to provide a fire barrier.

The wall fasteners 60, 260, 360, 460, 560, and 1060 include fasteners80, 82, 84 on both side edges that allow the respective wall fastenersto be slideably secured to the stud 20 on either side of the stud wall30 (for example, see the arrangement of FIG. 3). The fasteners accordingto the present invention make it possible to provide a single wallfastener product for a user when two may be required otherwise.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method ofretaining a stud wall 20 to a mounting track 50 with a fastener suchthat the mounting track is vertically movable relative to the stud wall.The fastener of this method could be any of fasteners 60, 160, 260, 360,460, 560, 660, 760, 860, 960, or 1060. The method includes securing afirst portion of the fastener to the mounting track with a first primarysurface facing the mounting track, and securing the fastening structureto the stud wall with a sliding attachment thereby retaining the studwall to the mounting track so as to prevent lateral movement of thefastener relative to the stud wall while permitting vertical movement ofthe fastener relative to the stud wall.

A yet further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method offorming a wall fastener from a single piece of material. The fastener ofthis method could be any of fasteners 60, 160, 260, 360, 460, 560, 660,760, 860, 960, or 1060. The method includes forming a first portion thatincludes a first opposed primary surface and a second opposed primarysurface, and first side edge and second side edge. The first portion issecured to the mounting track with the first primary surface facing themounting track and the second primary surface facing the first wallboardmember. The method further includes forming a second portion thatincludes a third primary surface that extends parallel to the firstprimary surface and is secured to a second wallboard member, andpositioning the second wallboard member adjacent to the first wallboardmember, forming a third portion that extends between the first andsecond portions, and forming a first fastener structure along the firstside edge of the first portion. The first fastener structure isconfigured to engage a stud to retain the wall fastener to the studwhile permitting vertical movement of the wall fastener relative to thestud wall.

Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been setforth, together with details of structure and function. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosure is illustrative only.Therefore, any changes made, especially in matters of shape, size, andarrangement, to the fullest extent by the general meaning of the termsin which the appended claims are expressed, are within the principle ofthe invention.

1. A wall fastener configured to secure a stud wall to a slip track, thewall fastener comprising: a first portion having first and secondopposed primary surfaces and first and second sides, the first portionbeing secured to a sidewall of the slip track with the first primarysurface facing an outside surface of the sidewall and the second primarysurface facing a primary wallboard member; the first portion having afirst track retaining member along the first side, the first trackretaining member configured to engage an inside surface of the side wallof the slip track; a second portion spaced apart from the first portiona predetermined distance and having third and fourth surfaces thatextend parallel to the first portion, the second portion beingconfigured to be secured to the secondary wall member with the thirdprimary surface facing the secondary wall member and the fourth primarysurface facing the first portion plane; a third portion extending fromthe top edge of the first portion to the bottom edge of the secondportion to secure the first and second portions together; a fourthportion extending from the top edge of the second portion in a directiontoward the plane of the first portion and configured to contact the sliptrack; and the fourth portion having a contact member extending from thefourth portion edge to a point of contact with the slip track and in adirection downward towards, and parallel to, the plane of the firstportion
 2. The wall fastener of claim 1, comprising a second trackretaining member along the second side of the first portion, the secondtrack retaining member configured to engage the inside surface of theside wall of the slip track.
 3. The wall fastener of claim 1, whereinthe primary wallboard member is secured to the stud wall and not securedto the wall fastener and the secondary wallboard member is secured onlyto the second portion.
 4. The wall fastener of claim 2, wherein theprimary wallboard member is secured to a plurality of studs and thefirst portion is movably positioned between the primary wallboard memberand one of the studs.
 5. The wall fastener of claim 1, wherein thesecondary wallboard member is secured to the third primary surface ofthe second portion, overlaps the primary wallboard member, and ismovable relative to the primary wallboard member.
 6. The wall fastenerof claim 1, comprising an aperture formed in the first portion, theaperture sized to receive a fastener for securing the first portion tothe slip track.
 7. The wall fastener of claim 1, comprised of a singleunitary piece of material.
 8. The wall fastener of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined distance is defined by a thickness of the primarywallboard member.
 9. A method of forming a wall fastener from a singlepiece of material, the wall fastener configured to retain a stud wall toa slip track and to support a secondary wallboard member in engagementwith a primary wallboard member of the stud wall, the method comprisingthe steps of: forming a first portion having first and second opposedprimary surfaces, the first portion being secured to a side wall of theslip track with the first primary surface facing the outside surface ofthe side wall and the second primary surface facing a primary wallboardmember; forming a first track retaining member along a first side, thefirst track retaining member configured to engage the inside surface ofthe side wall of the slip track; forming a second portion spaced apartfrom the first portion a predetermined distance and having third andfourth opposed primary surfaces that extend parallel to the firstprimary surface; securing the secondary wallboard member to the thirdprimary surface of the second portion; positioning the secondarywallboard member adjacent to the primary wallboard member; forming athird portion that extends from the top edge of the first portion to thebottom edge of the second portion to secure the first and secondportions together; forming a fourth portion extending from the top edgeof the second portion in a direction toward the plane of the firstportion and configured to contact the slip track; and forming a contactmember on the fourth portion, the contact member extending from thefourth portion edge to a point of contact with the slip track and in adirection downward towards, and parallel to, the plane of the firstportion.
 10. The wall fastener of claim 9, comprising the step offorming a second track retaining member along the second side of thefirst portion, the second track retaining member configured to engagethe inside surface of the side wall of the slip track.
 11. The wallfastener of claim 9, comprising the step of securing the primarywallboard member to the stud wall and not securing it to the wallfastener and the step of securing the secondary wallboard member only tothe third primary surface of the second portion.
 12. The wall fastenerof claim 11, comprising the step of securing the primary wallboardmember to a plurality of studs and the step of movably positioning thefirst portion between the primary wallboard member and one of the studs.13. The wall fastener of claim 9, comprising the step of securing thesecondary wallboard member to the third primary surface of the secondportion and the step of overlapping the primary wallboard member withthe secondary wallboard member, whereby the secondary wallboard memberis movable relative to the primary wallboard member.
 14. The wallfastener of claim 9, comprising the step of forming an aperture in thefirst portion, the aperture sized to receive a fastener for securing thefirst portion to the slip track.
 15. The method of claim 9, comprisingthe step of bending the third portion into an orientation substantiallyperpendicular to the top edge of the first portion and the bottom edgeof the second portion to form a single piece wall fastener.
 16. A wallfastener for use between a stud wall and a slip track, configured tosupport primary and secondary wallboard members relative to each otherto provide a continuous wallboard member between the stud wall and theslip track, the slip track having side walls with an inside surface andan outside surface, the fastener comprising: a first portion havingfirst and second opposed primary surfaces, the first portion beingsecured to the outside surface of a sidewall of the slip track with thefirst primary surface facing the outside surface of the sidewall and thesecond primary surface facing the primary wallboard member; the firstportion having a first track retaining member along a first side, thefirst track retaining member configured to engage the inside surface ofthe side wall of the slip track; a second portion having a third primarysurface that extends parallel to the plane of the first portion and isoffset from the second primary surface a predetermined distance definedby the thickness of the primary wallboard member, the second portionbeing secured to the secondary wallboard member with the third primarysurface facing the secondary wallboard member thereby supporting thesecondary wallboard member in engagement with the primary wallboardmember; a third portion extending from the top edge of the first portionto the top edge of the second portion to secure the first and secondportions together; a fourth portion extending from the top edge of thesecond portion in a direction toward the plane of the first portion andconfigured to contact the slip track; and the fourth portion having acontact member extending from the fourth portion edge to a point ofcontact with the slip track and in a direction downward towards, andparallel to, the plane of the first portion.
 17. The wall fastener ofclaim 16, comprising a second track retaining member along the secondside of the first portion, the second track retaining member configuredto engage the inside surface of the side wall of the slip track.
 18. Thewall fastener of claim 16, comprising the first, second, and thirdportions as a single unitary piece.